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What is the Scholars Savings Program?

The Scholars Savings Program (SSP for short) is a college savings program. The goal of this program is to help families start up a college savings for a child to help pay for higher education expenses.

Through this program you can open a 529 college savings plan for your child or a relative. A 529 plan is a special kind of savings plan authorized by Congress in 1996 to help families save for college from an early age. Accounts you open through the Scholars Savings Program are opened with my529.
my529 is a partner of the El Monte Promise Foundation and in charge of providing the 529 plans. Other 529 plans exist in the United States, in fact each state has at least one 529 provider. However, the El Monte Promise Foundation is working with my529 to offer 529 plans at no cost to open, and no minimum deposit to save!

View.  SCHOLARS SAVINGS PROGRAM ENROLLMENT GUIDE

BEGIN ENROLLMENT!
*Please review the enrollment requirements. You will be redirected to my529‘s website. 

SET UP AN APPOINTMENT  Need assistance? Contact us!

BENEFITS TO THE SCHOLARS SAVINGS PROGRAM

OWNING A 529 PLAN

  • There can be tax advantages when you save and the money is used to pay for your child’s qualified educational expenses.
  • Anyone at least 18 or older can set up an account on behalf of a beneficiary (usually a child). This means a grandparent, legal guardian, aunt, uncle, older sibling etc. may open an account for a child.
  • Money saved in a 529 will not reduce benefits for families receiving CalWORKs.
  • 0.00% – 5.64% of your savings in a 529 plan is counted as income for your child’s FAFSA on the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) – a great amount of asset protection.
SCHOLARS SAVINGS PROGRAM OFFERS
  • You can open a Scholars Savings Account at no cost!
  • El Monte Promise Foundation can support you with Spanish translation.
  • No minimum deposit is required to save.
  • You own the account and you have direct control.
  • Net balance of 0 fees!*
  • Select accounts qualify for Scholar Dollars (additional benefits).

*Scholars Savings Accounts are subject to the my529 Plan Administrative Fee, but the fee is offset by the interest gained on the account totaling to no fees for the account.

 

OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS

Parents, grandparents, legal guardians, aunts, uncles, and/or older siblings can set up a Scholars Savings Account for a child if they meet the Account Owner requirements that are listed above.

WHAT CAN I DO IF...

You don’t need a Social Security Number to open a Scholars Savings Account. You can open an account with an ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number).

To apply for an ITIN you will need to fill out IRS Form W-7 and submit requested documentation to a local IRS office. Please visit the IRS website for more information. Information is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.

 

You don’t need a bank account to open a Scholars Savings Account. A personal bank account is optional if you wish to make deposits online.

 

If you do not have a bank account you may still make a deposit via mail to your child’s Scholars Savings Account with a check or a money order.

If you already have a Scholars Savings Account for your child, or you wish to open an account and need access to a computer and/or internet please contact us for help!

We are more than happy to assist families who need access to a computer and/or internet for account access or enrollment in the Scholars Savings Program.

Please note you may need to make an appointment with our staff to make sure we are able to serve you. Contact us for more information.